Historical-Artistic Tour Towards Sant’Anna di Stazzema

The excursion starts from Farnocchia a mountain village in shady chestnut woods with fantastic panoramas of the most beautiful mountains of the Apuan Alps; Farnocchia is also the starting point of different excursions, one of which ascends Monte Gabberi (1108 mt) 40-50 min. walking distance.

From the paved road, proceed onto an unpaved road that passes through "La Porta di Sopra" locality, a group of houses that forms part of the village of Farnocchia. Continue along for about 20-30 min. on a rather difficult path, in parts accessible only on foot, to reach "Foce di Sant`Anna" or "Compito" (801 mt a.s.l). After a few metres, on the mule track which is still in good condition, observe the first group houses in the various suburbs of Sant`Anna.

The village is located in a semicircle in a natural valley between Monte Lieto and Monte Gabberi. It is sadly famous for the massacre of 560 civilians (mostly elderly people, women and children) by Nazi troops on the 12th August 1944. Recognized as a regional centre for the Resistance Movement, it has also recently become a National Peace Park.

In less than 10 min. you reach the main road, Via Duilio Pieri, that leads to the village of Sennari from Sant`Anna. Shortly after is Vaccareccia. From here, turn right into a partly paved road to reach the Ossario monument erected at "Col di Cava" in 1948 in a dominating position overlooking the Versilia coast and plain. Take one of the old tracks near the Ossario monument, close to a small chapel (marginetta) to reach path no. 3.

Alternatively, take the route via the Argentiera district through the woodland of Monte Ornato and Monte Anchiana (approx. 1 hr) then descend by a mule track to the town of Capezzano Monte (343 mt a.s.l.) in the borough of Pietrasanta. Return by the same path until the Foce di Sant`Anna, then follow Cai pathway no. 3 along the woody northern flank of Monte Lieto to the town of Farnocchia.


Panoramic Tour Around Stazzema

Starting point: Ponte Stazzemese, observe the view of Monte Forato, a rocky summit, characterized by the natural hole, caused by wind erosion, in the final crest of the mountain. The sun`s passage through this hole from the 15th to the 22nd June is fascinating. There are two roads leading off from the town square: the one on the right runs across the winding valley of the Mulina canal with the rocky crags of Mount Nona and the Procinto range (1177 m.) and its "Bimbi" in the background, very characteristic areas of the region, where the landscape changes from lush meadows and thick woodlands to an imposing range of mountains similar to towers.

After Mulina, in the hills, the bell tower of the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Stazzema (439 m) appears, continue to the junction taking the road on the right to Pomezzana. From the village (592 m), situated on a slope facing south, climb uphill to the ridge above passing the mountainside facing the" Procinto".

Take path no. 106 running along chestnut woods offering a splendid view of the Stazzema valley, continue uphill to the Forte dei Marmi mountain refuge (Cai) at the Alpe della Grotta (865 m) situated in delightful surroundings and the starting point for excursions to nearby mountains.

Next, take path no. 121, (called "del passeggero"), which once connected Versilia to Garfagnana, winding around the mountains sides of Monte Nona and Matanna leading to the "Foce di Grattaculo" (860 m) and the S. Rocchino mountain pass (801 m), San Rocco`s Church is located at the most eastern part of the plain. The area offers a spectacular view over the Camaiore valley and joins the mountain ranges of Monte Matanna (1317 m) and Monte Gabberi. The latter, is recognized by the iron cross on its summit from where a magnificent panorama overlooks Camaiore, the coastal plain, the southern Apuan Alps, the entire Tyrrhenian Coast from Portovenere to Piombino and the Tuscan archipelago islands with Corsica in the background.

From San Rocchino return to Pomezzana by a path that joins trail no.106. ... from “Touring Around Versilia” (Versilia, Toscana, Italia)